Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun showing Mar. 20

There's a timely showing of the film Aitamaako'tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun by the Chinook Film Group at the Cochrane Movie House on Mar. 20 at 7 p.m.

The one-time showing takes place during the first Cochrane Indigenous Arts and Culture Week, Mar. 16 to 23. Tickets are now available at the Cochrane Movie House box office or online here.

Directed by Banchi Hanuse, this 88 min. feature documentary profiles Logan Red Crow, a young Siksika woman who is preparing to compete in a male-dominated Indian Relay horse race.

But to the filmmaker, it's much more. In notes provided for the Rocky Mountain Women's Film Festival, he speaks of how the relationship between Siksika people and horses is one that has been cultivated for hundreds of years. The Indian Relay race stems from these relationships.

"Though this is Logan Red Crow’s story, the horses she races with are central figures. The horses have their own unique relationships with everyone in the film," he writes. "The film allows human-viewers to be immersed in the horses’ close physical, spiritual and emotional connections."

It portrays the deep bonds between her family, her family as she prepares for what is one of the most dangerous horse races in world.

"It is the intense journey--the celebrations, the heartbreaks and the teachings--leading up to the races that pulls the audience along intimately with Logan, and the horses, and everyone who has helped them prepare," he continues. "In essence, the film Aitamaako’tamisskapi Natosi: Before the Sun is an Indigenous story about love and one we do not see often enough."

It was filmed in Siksika Nation, Tsuut'ina, Îyârhe Nakoda, Blackfoot Territory, Enoch Cree Nation, and Casper, Wyoming.

We have a local connection with this extreme bareback relay. In 2022, the Mînî Thnî Blue Feather relay team made its first-ever appearance at the Calgary Stampede for the Indian Relay event. Several teams involving members of the Stoney Nakoda Nation have also competed at other events across North America.